Freeview Problem - some channels not working

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Apsattv

2390 posts

Uber Geek

#2268046 1-Jul-2019 22:49

Hard to tell from that blurry photo but it looks like something is still connected to the diplexor antenna combiner at the bottom of the mast?

If so the diplexor combiner is probably the culprit. They tend to fill with water spiders etc etc

I think you really need to call in an installer.

bigalow

566 posts

Ultimate Geek

#2268073 1-Jul-2019 23:28

as above

and the top tv aerial is a vhf and not needed any more

the part thats on the roof is from it

Brunzy

2016 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

#2268077 2-Jul-2019 01:26

That splitter is ancient and looks totally shot as does the cable. Probably needs to be re-cabled or you might be able to use the cable from the dish but that may exclude your neighbour.

Aredwood

3885 posts

Uber Geek

#2268083 2-Jul-2019 02:48

Apsattv:
Hard to tell from that blurry photo but it looks like something is still connected to the diplexor antenna combiner at the bottom of the mast?

If so the diplexor combiner is probably the culprit. They tend to fill with water spiders etc etc

I think you really need to call in an installer.

Agree.

Get rid of the old combiner and old VHF aerial. As the old VHF TV frequencies have been repurposed for cellphone use. So leaving a VHF aerial connected is just going to introduce lots interference.

That aerial is probably an old Sky UHF aerial. Meaning that it is likely over 20 years old. And due to its size, the Sky installer at the time judged that you are in a low signal area. Since it is set on horizontal polarization, it is likely pointing at the Waiatarua transmitter. Consider whether the Sky tower or Remuera transmitters might be better for you. Although the Waiatarua transmitter has higher power output.

This reminds me, I still need to remove the freeview aerial from my roof. Nothing wrong with it, I just dont use it anymore. Guessing that I might as well just give it to you.(OP) As I dont think that many other GZ members still use broadcast freeview.

Brunzy

2016 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

#2268124 2-Jul-2019 04:00

Also, the fact it’s terminated into a Belling Lee plug, suggests the cable is no good even if it’s in good condition.
Who would install a 91E Antenna with 2002/RG59 cable when you’d get the same result or better with a 31E Antenna and RG6.
I’d say @A Redwood has it right, and that someone too lazy to replace the cable has put in the biggest Antenna to compensate.

OnceBitten

535 posts

Ultimate Geek

#2268234 2-Jul-2019 08:51

thanks for the replies - some good info and advice there

Next time we bump into the neighbors I'll ask them if they are having any issues with freeview - and if they are we'll contact their landlord and get someone out to have a look at the aerial and the whole set up - it's been like that since we moved in, and there have been no problems until last weekend.

esawers

552 posts

Ultimate Geek

#2268262 2-Jul-2019 09:36

On the off chance your freeview is coming from the Satellite dish (ours does), the LNB might need to be adjusted. We had a similar problem recently we couldn't get Bravo or Prime.

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OnceBitten

535 posts

Ultimate Geek

#2268265 2-Jul-2019 09:39

esawers:

On the off chance your freeview is coming from the Satellite dish (ours does), the LNB might need to be adjusted. We had a similar problem recently we couldn't get Bravo or Prime.

no - we have Sky TV in the lounge and that's all fine - the UHF aerial comes through to the bedroom where we have freeview

Apsattv

2390 posts

Uber Geek

#2268684 2-Jul-2019 18:25

It Needs installer to clean it up.

The Top VHF antenna needs removing , as does the vhf/uhf ? combiner on the mast. The UHF antenna can be raised to the top of the mast and existing cable pulled up (if the coax isnt rg6 then the whole run needs recabling) as for the splitter? (hard to know) but it could in fact be a diplexor to mix the sky dish and UHF down the same cable.

The missing element on the front of the UHF antenna wont really matter.

OnceBitten

535 posts

Ultimate Geek

#2271228 7-Jul-2019 00:03

Update
We spoke to the neighbors and they said they aren’t having any issues with Freeview
So we got a technician out and he put a meter onto the end of the uhf cable in the bedroom and said the signal was marginal. He replaced the connector on the end of the cable and crimped it on but that didn’t make much of a difference when he used the meter again
He had a quick look at the splitter box (didn’t have a long enough ladder) and said he will come back during the week and replace it a better one and put it in a better box and that should solve the problem

He said the aerial was ok and didn’t need replacing but said the cable is pretty old and said they don’t use that type of cable anymore

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